“Elton John – Philadelphia Freedom (Central Park 1980)”

22May

“Philadelphia Freedom” is a song released by The Elton John Band as a single in 1975. The song was one of Elton John’s seven #1 US hits during the early and mid-1970s, which saw his recordings dominating the charts. In Canada, it was his eighth single to hit the top of the RPM national singles chart.

The song was written by Elton John and Bernie Taupin as a favour to John’s friend, tennis star Billie Jean King. King was part of the Philadelphia Freedoms professional tennis team. The song features an orchestral arrangement by Gene Page, including flutes, horns, and strings.

The song made its album debut on 1977’s Elton John’s Greatest Hits Volume II. The Unedited version (without an early fade out) appears only on the box set To Be Continued…. and the remaster for Goodbye Yellow Brick Road.